This was the first time Aozaki Reiji had praised her so frankly.
Aozaki Reiji was not a bad person, but he couldn't be considered exceptionally good either.
Senjumaru had come to understand this during the decades she had known him.
Although he could sometimes be a bit mean with his words, and his actions often felt excessive, even seizing opportunities to sneak attack her, in reality, he was a rather gentle person.
When he focused on cooking, his serious expression was incredibly handsome, making him a rare sight, a truly stunning man.
While he sometimes spoke mean-spirited words, he actually accommodated her whenever she made a fool of herself.
Moreover, despite his rather subtle personality, openly admitting his ulterior motives, this frankness was not at all off-putting.
Speaking of which, did he prefer girls who dressed more, more conservatively?
Thinking of this, Senjumaru couldn't help but lower her head slightly, scrutinizing her own body, her mood becoming somewhat complicated.
Because she realized that her usual tightly-wrapped dressing style indeed attracted Aozaki Reiji's attention.
At first, she thought it was because her charm was too high, so no matter how much she wore, it would attract this little brat with insufficient self-control.
But now, it felt like she was just dressing too much to cater to his preferences?
Should she learn from Hikifune Kirio and dress more simply in the future?
It might backfire, though.
Thinking of this, Senjumaru couldn't help but blush, quickly shaking her head to clear away these jumbled thoughts.
At this moment, Aozaki Reiji had already walked in front of her, crossing his arms and saying, "You still need to practice dessert making. Consider it homework I've assigned you. I'll check on it when I have time."
"Mmph! I told you I'm not a child!" Senjumaru puffed out her cheeks, muttering discontentedly.
After spending a whole day, she finally mastered the method of making tiramisu.
However, although she could make it, the taste was somewhat indescribable.
For food, a bad taste is tantamount to failure.
Failed products cannot be considered compensation.
Senjumaru slightly raised her head, looking at the face of the man who was a head taller than her.
Judging solely by appearance, among all the people she had seen over the millennia, no one could compare.
Senjumaru thought blankly, sighing inwardly, "What a strange man!"
She carefully examined Aozaki Reiji, finding his features delicate and three-dimensional, each part appearing so perfect.
His relatively casual yet unrestrained long hair gave him a unique charm.
Such an appearance, no matter in which era, would likely be welcomed by many people.
However, Senjumaru faintly felt that the most attractive thing about Aozaki Reiji was actually his unique temperament.
Although he appeared somewhat frivolous, he was by no means a rash person.
His heart always maintained a sense of detachment, making him seem full of mystery.
Most importantly, he gave off a feeling of genuine sincerity, as if it were tangible, even though it should be invisible and untouchable.
It was as if she knew that he was sincere in most things, and had always been so.
This sentiment had nothing to do with any words or actions.
It didn't need to be shouted for the whole world to know; it simply existed naturally.
Senjumaru couldn't help but think, "Perhaps this is why Hikifune Kirio and Unohana and those other women are attracted to him..."
As she pondered, she unconsciously pinched her chin, falling into deep thought.
So, it wasn't until Aozaki Reiji called her twice that she reacted.
"Hey, did you hear me, great senior who's been single for a thousand years?"
"Ugh!? Why do you have to bring up being single for a thousand years?! Honestly..." Senjumaru's face immediately turned crimson, and she said with some exasperation, "And 'great senior' or whatever, you're definitely mocking me, aren't you? Just call me by my name, you idiot junior!"
She quickly looked around, and only after confirming that there was no one else in the room did she let out a sigh of relief.
Although it was true, if she was constantly reminded of it, even someone as composed as her couldn't stand it.
It was acceptable when she was with Aozaki Reiji and Kirio.
But if her subordinates, the Divine Soldiers, heard it, what about her dignity as the Zero Division Captain?
Although the Divine Soldiers respected her greatly, it was better for fewer people to know about embarrassing things.
Aozaki Reiji knew this, which was why he kept teasing her about it.
At this moment, seeing her shy like a proper young lady, Aozaki Reiji couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.
"To be fair, it's a good thing you have a sense of shame, but what's there to be ashamed of about this?"
"...Eh!?"
"I mean, you've been single for a thousand years. That's not a bad thing, is it? After all, being able to suppress your bodily instincts for a thousand years, compared to someone like me who can't control his desires, you're much stronger, aren't you?"
Aozaki Reiji had a very serious expression on his face, not at all hiding his less-than-praiseworthy side.
"..."
Senjumaru was stunned for a moment, her lips opening and closing several times, but she didn't know how to respond, then she lowered her head, her face completely red.
In ancient times, the situation was different from now.
Just a few hundred years ago, let alone being over a thousand years old, even hundred-year-old girls could have children.
Over the years, Seireitei had also been influenced by the Human World's ideas, which was why the age of marriage was raised to one hundred and fifty years old.
Hmm... indeed, after accepting modern ideas, looking back, Senjumaru also felt that the concepts of her era seemed to have some problems.
She clasped her hands in front of her chest for a long time, finally managing to overcome her shyness and speak, "Actually... I haven't... been suppressing it all the time. I'm not as good as you say."
"It's wonderful you can say something so bold... If it's hard to say, you don't have to force yourself to say it."
Aozaki Reiji rubbed his brows helplessly, trying his best to suppress his strong imagination.
When this woman's head was muddled, she dared to say anything, much bolder than Kirio.
Having an older sister who didn't use her brain but was absolutely perfect in appearance standing in front, shyly discussing such explicit topics...
Well, any man would let his imagination run wild.
At this moment, after her personal admission, Aozaki Reiji completely understood one thing: "So that's it, the so-called Zero Division, even after receiving the power of the Soul King, they don't become much more sacred. In essence, they're no different from ordinary people!"
"Ugh..."
Hearing these words, Senjumaru's face immediately turned crimson.
She clutched her chest tightly, looking as if her heart had been pierced.
In reality, she had always known.
Although she possessed the Ōken bones shaped by the power of the Soul King, she was ultimately not that lofty deity.
She was just an ordinary person, nothing more.
Therefore, she felt such shame.
Of course, she had never considered herself superior to others.